Basic Chainmail Circle
using a variation of the 'expanding rows' method
The weave used as the start for
a coif (armor for the head)
bags and 'fetish' type wear (very
form fitting brassiere cups)
Created using 3/8" 16ga (0.080")
Aluminum rings for clarity
I've seen a couple of different variations
of this technique, this is my variation.
I have found doubling the number of rings
in every other row
(instead of just adding 6) results in a much
smoother circle.
Important especially if you are looking for
even coverage without
gaps or pinches over various shapes.
(over ah-hem...certain
body parts?)
Ring counts per row are here.
1. Start with a single open ring and six closed
rings.
2. Join the six closed rings with the open ring so they lay in this fashion to create rows 1 and 2.
3. Join two rings from row 2 with another ring. This starts row 3.
4. Add another ring to only one of the previously joined rings. This is where the circle 'expands' for the next row.
5. Continue step 4 all the way around to complete row 3.
6. Start row 4, join 2 rings from row 3 as shown.
7. Continue step 6 to complete row 4.
8. Now the process starts over again to further expand the circle into row 5.
I've conbined steps 3&4 in this photo as by now the pattern should be getting clear.
9. Continue all the way around to complete row 5.
10. Join two rings from row 5 to start row 6.
(3 rings added in this photo)
11. Continue all the way around to complete row 6.
Continue (or shorten) this pattern until you have as large a circle as needed for your project.
The resulting edges can be joined to any basic 4-in-1 style shape,
or by adding the necessary rings to the final row to join to a 6 in 1 or others....
More on joining this to other shapes later.